Leyland Eight

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Leyland Eight
Manufacturer Leyland Motors
Production 1920–1923
18 made [1]
Class Grand tourer
Engine(s) 7–Litre OHC Straight-8
Transmission(s) 4–Speed
Wheelbase 126 or 150 inches (3200 or 3810 mm) [2]
Designer J.G. Parry-Thomas

The Leyland Eight was a luxury car produced by Leyland Motors from 1920 to 1923. The car was designed by the chief engineer of Leyland Motors, J.G. Parry-Thomas and his assistant Reid Railton, and was intended to be the finest car available.[3]

Two engine options were made, a 6,920 cc capacity unit producing 115 bhp or 7,266 cc with twin carburettors producing 145 bhp. Both had a single overhead camshaft and hemispherical combustion chambers. The chassis had elliptical leaf springs at front and rear. The brakes, with vacuum servo, were on the rear wheels only.

Factory made bodies were available in open tourer style with either two of five seats and chassis were also supplied to coachbuilders. The car was very expensive, the chassis for delivery to a coachbuilder costing £2,500 in 1920 reducing to £1,875 in 1922 [1] and only about 18 were made [1]. It was the most expensive British car made at the time [1].

Michael Collins, the Irish politician and revolutionary leader, was travelling in a Leyland Eight when he was fatally shot in 1922.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Baldwin, N. (1994). A-Z of Cars of the 1920s. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-53-2. 
  2. ^ Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2. 
  3. ^ Georgano, N. (2000). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: HMSO. ISBN 1-57958-293-1. 
  • Hugh Tours (1966). The Leyland Eight, No. 25, Profile cars. Profile Publications. 
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